"Lord of the Rings: Reading Order Guide"

J.R.R. Tolkien's epic Lord of the Rings saga is a cornerstone of fantasy literature, inspiring one of the most celebrated film trilogies ever produced. This timeless tale of good versus evil, woven with themes of friendship and heroism, continues to captivate audiences worldwide. With the excitement surrounding the second season of Rings of Power and the announcement of a new Lord of the Rings movie slated for 2026, it's an opportune moment to delve deeper into the expansive lore of Middle-earth.

If you're new to Tolkien's universe or looking to refresh your memory, we've crafted a comprehensive guide to help you navigate the Middle-earth saga. Whether you prefer reading in chronological order or by publication date, this guide will ensure you embark on one of the greatest literary adventures of all time.

How Many Lord of the Rings Books Are There in the Series?

Tolkien's primary Middle-earth saga consists of four books: The Hobbit and the three volumes of The Lord of the Rings—The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King. Since Tolkien's passing in 1973, numerous companion books and collections have been released. Below, we've included the seven most significant additions to the Middle-earth canon.

Lord of the Rings Book Sets

For both newcomers and seasoned collectors, there are several fantastic book sets available. Our top pick is the beautifully crafted leather-bound illustrated editions, but there's a wide variety of styles to suit any preference.

The Lord of the Rings Deluxe Illustrated Edition

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The Hobbit And The Lord Of The Rings: Deluxe Pocket Boxed Set

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The Silmarillion Deluxe Illustrated Edition

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The Hobbit Deluxe Illustrated Edition

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The Lord of the Rings Books Reading Order

We've organized Tolkien's Middle-earth works into two sections: the main Lord of the Rings saga and additional readings. The saga follows the tales of Bilbo and Frodo Baggins, presented in narrative chronology. The additional readings, published posthumously, are listed by publication date to offer a comprehensive understanding of Middle-earth's history.

1. The Hobbit

The Hobbit, the first Middle-earth book by both in-universe chronology and real-world publication, was released in 1937. It chronicles the adventure of Bilbo Baggins, who joins Thorin and Company—a group consisting of Gandalf and thirteen dwarves led by Thorin Oakenshield—on a quest to reclaim the dwarves' ancestral home from the dragon Smaug. This journey introduces us to Gollum and the origin of the One Ring, culminating in the epic Battle of Five Armies.

2. The Fellowship of the Ring

Published nearly two decades after The Hobbit, The Fellowship of the Ring kicks off the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Originally conceived as a single story, it was published in three volumes due to its length. The narrative begins at Bilbo's 111th birthday celebration, where he bequeaths the One Ring to Frodo. After a 17-year gap not shown in the films, Frodo embarks on his quest to destroy the Ring. Joined by a diverse Fellowship, their mission is to cast the Ring into the fires of Mount Doom in Mordor. By the end of the book, Frodo and Sam continue the journey alone after a betrayal.

3. The Two Towers

The Two Towers follows the split Fellowship, with Frodo and Sam on one path and the remaining members on another. While part of the group battles orcs and faces the corrupted wizard Saruman, Frodo and Sam, guided by Gollum, push forward toward Mordor.

4. The Return of the King

The final volume, The Return of the King, brings the epic journey to a close. The heroes confront Sauron's forces as Frodo and Sam strive to complete their mission. After the dramatic climax, the hobbits return to the Shire to face one last challenge—a storyline omitted from the film. The book concludes with the resolution of each character's fate and Frodo's ultimate departure.

Additional LotR Reading

5. The Silmarillion

The Silmarillion

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The Silmarillion, the first Middle-earth work published after Tolkien's death in 1973, is a collection of five-part stories edited by his son, Christopher Tolkien. It serves as a legendarium of Arda, detailing the world's creation and history through the Third Age.

6. Unfinished Tales of Númenor and Middle-earth

Unfinished Tales Of Númenor And Middle-Earth

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Unfinished Tales is a compilation of over a dozen stories and historical accounts edited by Christopher Tolkien. It delves into the origins of Middle-earth's wizards, the alliance between Gondor and Rohan, Gandalf's role in The Hobbit, and Sauron's quest for the One Ring before The Lord of the Rings.

7. The History of Middle-earth

The Complete History of Middle-Earth

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The History of Middle-earth is a twelve-volume series published between 1983 and 1996, edited by Christopher Tolkien. Spanning over 5,400 pages, it compiles and analyzes various Middle-earth writings, excluding The Hobbit, which is covered in The History of The Hobbit by John D. Rateliff.

8. The Children of Húrin

The Children of Hurin

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The Children of Húrin expands on the story of Túrin Turambar from The Silmarillion, set during the First Age. It explores the tragic consequences of Húrin's defiance against Morgoth, the precursor to Sauron as Middle-earth's chief antagonist.

9. Beren and Lúthien

Beren And Lúthien

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Beren and Lúthien, inspired by Tolkien's real-life romance with his wife Edith, recounts the love story between the mortal Beren and the immortal Elf Lúthien during the First Age. Christopher Tolkien crafted this narrative from various versions of the tale.

10. The Fall of Gondolin

The Fall Of Gondolin

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The Fall of Gondolin provides the full account of Tuor's divine mission to Gondolin, leading to Morgoth's downfall. This story links to The Lord of the Rings through Tuor's son Eärendil, who fathers Elrond, the Lord of Rivendell. It was the last Middle-earth novel edited by Christopher Tolkien.

11. The Fall of Númenor

The Fall of Númenor

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The Fall of Númenor, released in 2022, compiles Tolkien's works related to the Second Age, edited by Brian Sibley. It covers the rise and fall of Númenor, the creation of the Rings of Power, Sauron's rise, and the Last Alliance of Elves and Men.

How to Read The Lord of the Rings By Release Date

• The Hobbit (1937)
• The Fellowship of the Ring (1954)
• The Two Towers (1954)
• The Return of the King (1955)
• The Silmarillion (1977)
• Unfinished Tales (1980)
• The History of Middle-earth (1983–1996)
• The Children of Húrin (2007)
• Beren and Lúthien (2017)
• The Fall of Gondolin (2018)
• The Fall of Númenor (2022)

Part of the main four-book Lord of the Rings saga